The NHL season is just about a week old and so much has already happened on the ice. As always the product is fun and entertaining, even if it’s a bit sloppy so far. That sloppiness will go in time and be replaced by stronger all around play, but the wide open nature of these early season tilts has lent itself to even more exiting contests than usual. Let’s talk through some of the best we’ve seen so far this year!

First Period

Not a Dry Eye in the House: I really want to let the video below do most of the talking here, mostly because the tragic events that hit the Gaudreau family and the hockey world leave me speechless. The Blue Jacket home opener was going to be watched by all for all the wrong reasons. The team and their opponents, the Florida Panthers, planned to honor the life and memory of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, and they did just that. The ceremony before puck drop was tasteful and well done and the moment below at opening puck drop had us all shed a tear. RIP Johnny and Matthew.

Second Period

The Whacky and the Wild: With the season just underway, the theme of the games thus far is goals, goals, and more goals. Defensive play is sloppy right now across the league, perhaps this is the NHL’s version of “preseason carry over” we see in the NFL. Regardless it’s making for great entertainment and everyone’s in on the act. From Wild netminder Filip Gustavsson finding the twine to basically the entire Kings and Senators lineups last week, everyone is lighting the lamp early!

Third Period

First Impressions are Everything: At least that’s what they say you’ll find in life, and it seems the Utah Hockey Club is thriving off that mentality. The NHL’s newest club is off to a flying 3-1-1 start, which as them second in the central division. They hit the ground running with wins over the Blackhawks at home, and then in overtime over the Islanders and Rangers on the road. While they’ve dropped their last two, they’re playing an exciting brand of the game and young sharp shooter Dylan Guenther is becoming must see TV. Could the playoffs be on the cards in Salt Lake City this year?

Overtime

En Fuego: It’s only been four games so it’s far too early to talk standings, but when you look at them so far, this season, there aren’t a lot of surprises. Especially out west where the Dallas Stars are atop the Central division at a perfect 4-0-0, but they have some company in that category from an unlikely source. The Calgary Flames join them in perfection at 4-0-0 to take an early lead in the Pacific division. They’ve already scored 19 goals in their four games while giving up ten, five of which came in their season opening OT win in Vancouver. They have eight players with at least four points so far and they’re getting strong goaltending from veteran Dan Vladar and youngster Dustin Wolf who may be an emerging star in the league. While it’s still early, this group brings plenty of good young talent to the table and if they can stay hot out the gate, they should remain competitive the rest of the way. As they say “you can’t make the playoffs in October, but you sure can miss them.”

You can find Nick on Twitter @YNWA9623, Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our fall of podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. The store is live, and Little Ed has been in the lab cooking up some can’t miss items for you fans. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon!